Hilary Clinton says she's ready to step off the high wire of politics

Washington: After 20 years on the "high wire" of politics in the US, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is willing to call it a day soon and does not intend to stay on in the administration if President Barack Obama wins a second term.

Clinton said she was actually tired after all these years in this high-pressure zone, and would like to step back to take a stock.

The former first lady, who has been on record in the past saying she would not serve as Secretary of State for a second term, told her colleagues in the State Department on Thursday that she would stay in the job until Obama nominates her replacement.

"I think I have made it clear that I will certainly stay on until the President nominates someone and that transition can occur, but I think after 20 years – and it will be 20 years – of being on the high wire of American politics and all of the challenges that come with that, it would be probably a good idea to just find out how tired I am," Clinton said responding to a question at a State Department town hall.

"Everyone always says that when they leave these jobs," she said adding that she is looking forward to this year.

As the wife of US' 42nd President Bill Clinton, Hillary was First Lady from 1993 to 2001, before becoming a New York Senator from 2001 to 2009.

"I don't want to think about what might come next, because I don't want me or any of us to divert our attention. I think the best case we can make is to do the work we're doing every day at the highest possible standards and trying to achieve the best outcomes for our country," she said.

Clinton said as Secretary of State she cannot participate in elections. But at the same time, she said, she has not seen any of the recent election debates.

"The election is going to, I'm sure, suck up a lot of the attention from following areas that we think are so important – trying to resolve frozen conflicts, trying to bring food and healthcare and education to desperately poor people, trying to build up America's reputation and reality in so many places in the world," she said.

"But the good news is maybe we can even get more done if they're not paying attention. So just factor that in," she said.

"I am happy to work with Vice President (Joe) Biden, who does an excellent job and who is a huge advocate and supporter for this Department and for USAID," she said.